Senior Gameplay AI Engineer at Striking Distance Studios

San Ramon, California, United States

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Not SpecifiedCompensation

Senior (5 to 8 years)Experience Level

Full TimeJob Type

UnknownVisa

Video GamesIndustries

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in software engineering, computer science, or equivalent
At least 5 years of games industry experience and preferably 3 years or more in a similar role
At least 3 years of experience with Unreal Engine
Experience shipping games on current generation consoles (PS5 or XSX) and PC
Advanced ability to be self-directed, focused and detail oriented
Advanced C++ skills
Advanced knowledge on blueprints and AI decision making tools (Unreal behaviour trees, utility AI, etc.)
Advanced knowledge of navigation and pathfinding systems
3D math skills
Advanced verbal and written communications skills
A demonstrable love / passion for playing and making video games
A highly communicative and collaborative disposition

Responsibilities

Work across disciplines to build, refactor and maintain a variety of robust, flexible, and well-architected AI features
Work with design team to prototype and implement AI behaviours that empower the fun
Implement enemies, NPCs or any kind of AI managed characters
Work with gameplay engineers to integrate developed AI systems
Implement optimizations in perception systems and decision-making systems to make the AI performant
Work on navigation & pathfinding systems and demonstrate the ability to debug complex AI issues
Integrate and maintain AI middleware across all platforms
Review the work of other engineers and provide mentorship on your area of knowledge
Create and maintain technical design documents
Delve into code written by other engineers and take ownership of existing systems as needed
Keep current on technological developments and advancements
Research and develop coding techniques and algorithms
Collaborate with technology director on technical design and feature roll out
Write clear, maintainable, portable, and highly performant code
Communicate accurate status updates to your team leads, producers, and QA regarding tasks/features you are responsible for
Adhere to team coding standards and best practices
Foster a culture of open, honest, and respectful communication across all disciplines

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

Unreal EngineC++Gameplay AIPathfindingNavigationAI BehaviorsPerception SystemsDecision MakingAI MiddlewareNPC ImplementationConsole Optimization

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

What experience is required for the Senior Gameplay AI Engineer role?

Candidates need at least 5 years of games industry experience, preferably 3+ years in a similar role, 3+ years with Unreal Engine, and experience shipping games on PS5, XSX, and PC.

What key technical skills are needed for this position?

Advanced C++ skills, advanced knowledge of blueprints and AI decision-making tools like Unreal behaviour trees and utility AI, advanced knowledge of navigation and pathfinding systems, and 3D math skills are required.

Is this role remote or office-based?

This information is not specified in the job description.

What is the salary or compensation for this position?

This information is not specified in the job description.

What does the company culture emphasize for this role?

The role emphasizes a cooperative, cross-disciplinary team environment, fostering open, honest, and respectful communication across all disciplines.

Striking Distance Studios

Develops immersive story-driven survival horror games

About Striking Distance Studios

Striking Distance Studios develops survival horror video games that focus on immersive storytelling and high-quality gameplay. Their games are designed to engage players through captivating narratives and intense gameplay mechanics. The company differentiates itself from competitors by emphasizing a strong story element in their games, which enhances the overall player experience. Striking Distance Studios aims to create memorable gaming experiences that resonate with players, while also generating revenue through game sales, in-game purchases, and exclusive content.

San Ramon, CaliforniaHeadquarters

2019Year Founded

VENTURE_UNKNOWNCompany Stage

GamingIndustries

201-500Employees

Benefits

Healthcare coverage

Fitness allowance

Retirement plans

Unlimited time off

Professional development

Risks

Mixed reviews and performance issues of The Callisto Protocol may harm reputation.

Lack of Nvidia DLSS support could alienate some PC gamers.

Expanding into a multimedia franchise risks brand dilution if not managed well.

Differentiation

Striking Distance Studios excels in creating immersive, story-driven survival horror games.

The company leverages cutting-edge technology for high-quality gaming experiences.

Their team includes developers with experience in iconic games like Dead Space and Call of Duty.

Upsides

Rising interest in cross-platform gaming can boost Striking Distance Studios' future projects.

The popularity of VR and AR offers new avenues for immersive horror experiences.

Episodic gaming content success suggests potential for story-driven horror experiences.

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